flats, bents, & 100%'s OH MY!

This is like picking what way to fish! I want to go the least expensive way, the one that requires most all the tools to be "normal" household equipment, and the one that does not take a college engineering degree! Do they have a true "Easy as 1, 2, and 3" way to build?

For the money if you are doing only one build, and tools are limited buying a 100 percent reciver is the way to go. I build my own from blanks but I build a lot and have a full blown shop. If you want to do 4 or 5 builds then you might want to invest in some tooling like a jig and rivet tols. DO a search here as this stuf has been coverd a lot. spending $50 -$75 =ffl sounds a little pricey but if you count the flat and the center support cost say $20-$25 for a premium flat saving $35 -$50 does not seem so bad especialy if you value your time. using a 100% reciver will most likle result in a lot better fist build as well. + it can be sold to some one if it was built for personal use only through a dealer. you can then use that reciver as one to copy if yopu decide to build more.

1BG, pretty well summed it up.
If you're only going to build one (yeah right, how many of us said that in the beginning) then go with a 100% receiver.
If you're going off the deep end (like most of us ended up doing) start tooling up and roll your own.

If you don't have a drill press, taps, tap handle, drill bits, a complete screw set, a grinder to use to demill kit,and verious hand tools, i would save up and buy a new AK, mags, ammo. You might be ahead. But as 762x39 has stated, most of us have gone of the deep end, and can't or won't stop buying and building AKs. Very rewarding, but can be a very expensive hobby. Best of luck pinball, welcome to GUNCO.

If you don't have a drill press, taps, tap handle, drill bits, a complete screw set, a grinder to use to demill kit,and verious hand tools, i would save up and buy a new AK, mags, ammo.

I have a small bench mounted drill press, tap set (el chinko from Harber Fake, but it gets the job done for as much as I need a tap or die) drill bits are only a few isles over from the milk in the department store, so that is not an issue with me, I have seen the screw sets on Gun Broker for like $11 and know that is high for a few screws, but what the hay (if I had to, I am sure Home Depot would be able to come to the rescue, if not the local hardware... I think) I don't have a grinder, but I do have a Dremel and think you can get all kinds of grinding things for that. I think I may have the hand tools as well, I do have a small shop that I piddle around in making things. I play with my firearms that I have a lot (breaking down to clean and even a few minor repairs) and have picked up some gunsmithing things like the screw drivers, hammers, punch set and the such. I am no expert but this looks like it could be fun.

I was going to buy an AK, but the wife saw the $350 tag and kinda gave me that look (you know the look) I know building is a bit more cost, but the packages can show up in the mail and I can get away with them being xmass gifts (so I don't have to say what's inside) right now, and it would not be a lie... it is a gift for me!

I was going to buy an AK, but the wife saw the $350 tag and kinda gave me that look (you know the look) I know building is a bit more cost, but the packages can show up in the mail and I can get away with them being xmass gifts (so I don't have to say what's inside) right now, and it would not be a lie... it is a gift for me!

Here is an angle that I will use on the wife (engaged once we are married)
that we have discussed and shes' cool with it. If I spend (x amount ) on my hobby she gets (x amount ) to spend in what ever way she fancies w/o complaint on my part (like shoes or girly stuff (impractical decorations ect)) I do how ever get to roll my eyes so I think that is a fair deal

A screw build on a 100% is going to be your easiest build. Cheapest is going to be from a flat but that requires expensive tooling. OTOH, once you have bent enough flats to last you a while, resale of the tooling will be easy. You might ask around and see if anybody close to you already has the tooling, most builders are willing to help out a fellow enthusiast.

Forget the Chinese taps, they will break long before you have one hole tapped. Splurge and pay the $5-6 for a good tap. Or two.

The screws we use are button head cap screws in grade 8, pretty much most hardware stores will not have them in stock. You can order them from places like Mcmaster-Carr. Fastenal usually stocks them. In boxes of 100, which will run you about $10 from Fastenal. Two sizes normally used, so $20 or so will get you enough for many builds.

Several people sell the screw sets here in the marketplace and on the other various boards, I think you can do better than $11. The tapped triggerguard retainer plates are worth the $$, keeps you from having to mess with grinding nuts to fit and manuevering them into place.

Sounds like you already have most of the tools needed for a screw build, other than perhaps the specific size taps and drills you will need. If you don't have one, a large vise comes in handy.

Not to digress here, but I don't understand why we don't put a sticky somewhere on this website that discusses this exact type of thread. We have at least a few people a week either asking this exact question, or are thinking it and don't feel like asking. If I have the time in the next week or so maybe I'll see about putting something like this together. What do you guys think?

I am all for the sticky, it would have made this new fish have a better day to start!

I do have a 4" vice, it was cheap but it has worked for years

I was looking to do a build first for the cost issue, but I see that it tends to run more than just getting one off the shelf (but you do get to set the line for what goes on the firearm VS. just getting what they give you and to me that is worth part of the cost)

I am looking to ease into this craft, is this the best firearm platform to start with or should I be looking at others? I have no issue with investing in some tooling, I guess my biggest issue would be with use for other buids or projects.